Senior Sports Reporter

CANTERBURY's greatest halfback, Steve Mortimer, says Kris Keating is much more than just a stop-gap measure and will carry on the good work done by Trent Hodkinson in the early rounds for the Bulldogs.

It was anticipated Keating would start the season at five-eighth and Hodkinson at halfback, but new coach Des Hasler surprised by partnering Josh Reynolds alongside Hodkinson. It proved to be a masterstroke from Hasler when the Bulldogs won their first three games, but Hodkinson was injured early in last Sunday's loss to Newcastle and is out for six weeks with medial ligament damage.

Keating has been chosen at halfback for Sunday's game against Gold Coast at Skilled Park, which is consistent with Hasler's comment after naming his team for round one that while Keating had missed out he was keeping the pressure on those picked ahead of him.

''I'm sure Des never drew a line through him [Keating],'' Mortimer said yesterday. ''He's got great respect for Kris Keating. I think Kris is the ideal choice, under the circumstances. He's a smart player, and he's got a great work ethic. I'm sure he'll do a good job.''

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Mortimer said while Keating would have been disappointed at missing out on a first-grade spot to start the season, he never would have stopped trying to force his way into the side.

''You want them to be disappointed at missing out,'' Mortimer said. ''If they're not disappointed, there's something wrong. But it's a long season, and things can happen. It has happened now, with Trent getting injured. You've got to stay on your game, and be ready in case the coach needs you.

''Kris has kept working hard, because he's that type of player. Des is a great judge of players, and if he thinks Kris is the man to bring in then I'm very supportive of that. I've always been an admirer of the way Kris plays, because he's got the ability to make something happen.''

Mortimer said the best advice he could give Keating as the Bulldogs prepare to take on the Titans is to back his ability to read the defence when he gets the ball in his hands. ''Kris is good at running the ball, but another of his strengths is his ability to quickly sum up the defence and find the area in which it is lacking,'' he said. ''Once he does that, he can get the ball to the talented players on his outside.

''He's a very talented player, and if he goes as well as he's capable of going then he can leave Des with a good problem to have when Trent is available to play again.